Have you ever been around that same old mountain over and over again?

Have you ever been around that same old mountain, time and time again?
Have you ever gone through the same trial or test over and over again?
Is the road you’re on the same road you’ve been on for some time?
Are you tired of it yet?
Do you not hear all the talk how we are the head and not the tail?
How we have the victory, yet it looks and seems like we are always
defeated?
Never enough money, always a little under the weather, no peace that
passes all understanding.
I’ve come to realize why.
Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things He
suffered. Hebrews 5:8
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Psalms 103:7
We can read and study His words. We can meditate on His precepts until
we become Buddhist monks. We can even go to church every time the doors
open. Pay a dime for every dollar we earn, pray and fast like there’s
no tomorrow. Yet, we will still be in the same kind of mess. Not the
over abundance, overflowing more than enough that everyone including
the bible says we can have and should have.
Around and around we go, where it stops nobody knows.
We go over the same old ground, because WE HAVE NOT LEARNED THAT
LESSON YET. Hebrews 5:8
We do need to study and meditate on God’s words and precepts, go to
church, give of our money and stuff, and fast like there is no tomorrow.
Because, as in the lives of the three Hebrew boy,s we will have the heat
turned up on our lives to see what it is that comes out of our mouths.
The process of life, or you could say the pressures of life, are
designed to, one, cause us to face our fears. Two, rid our thoughts of
our babylonian upbringing. Three, see what comes out of our mouths when
the pressure is applied.
These are all designed by God not to harm us, but to make us more than
conquerors, overflowing full of peace, sons of the Most High.
How?
Not until all that is not of God, or subject to the things of God,
(because we are all working on something in our lives) on the inside
of our hearts and minds, is out of the way, we will continue to make
the same mistakes over and over again. Until then, we are not able to
see or hear the voice of the Holy Spirit with such clarity that we do
and say only what He tells us.
When we relinquish our control on our own lives, then we will have the
wisdom of the Most High, we will then be all that we can be in Him.
There are deep mysteries in this word, that are going to take each of
us on a journey designed by a caring Father to cause us to really see
and hear the voice of Him, that all that we have need of is already
deposited right on the inside of us. Jesus Himself said the Kingdom of
Heaven is near us even in our mouths. Also He said the Kingdom of God
is in us.
When we understand that we really are the children of God and that we
have access to all that the Father has, even as our own children have
access to all we have, then when we say to this obstacle be thou
removed, it must do what we say, because of our big brother Jesus’ name.
We frame our worlds by the things we say.
So when you see yourself facing the same test or trial again. Say to
yourself, wait just one minute, I’ve been at this crossroad before.
What is it that I have always done in the past? Do I want the same
result? What can I do differently? And really think with a clear mind
what was it that you always have done in the past, and really seek
God’s wisdom in the matter, and sincerely ask, Father, how can I do this
differently that your will for my life in this area can be accomplished.
As we submit our will to His will, we will learn the voice of our
Father, then truly understand that we are His children, and heirs
according to the promises. And that we already have what we have need
of. It’s been on the inside of us all along, waiting to be spoken forth
with the confidence and authority that has been given to us by the
Father, through the work of Jesus, with His Holy Spirit.

When the rubber meets the road…

When the rubber meets the road, why is it that we speak and believe
such great things in the spirit realm, yet we don’t have the
manifestation of our belief?

I’m sure there are a thousand different reasons why. But I would like
to examine one or two I have been thinking about lately.
One is that we allow our minds to go unchecked and rampant, thinking
on just about anything without control or restraint.
You see a thought will enter into our minds, and if that thought is
left unchecked and is able to grow into only God knows what. It will
eventually drop down into our hearts. Proverbs 23:7
Let us look at 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Our weapons are not made by men, but are mighty with Gods help to pull
down strongholds and to cast down every imagination, and every high
thing that comes against God and His wisdom and knowledge, to bring
into captivity every thought to obey what Jesus has said.
Think on these things Paul says in Philippians 4:7-8 whatever is true,
honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, or if there is
anything virtuous or worthy of praise.
Again let us look at 2 Corinthians in reverse. If we don’t bring into
captivity every thought to obey Jesus, it turns into a vain
imagination, and if that imagination is left unchecked it turns into a
stronghold.
Now when a stronghold takes root, only by Gods help can we conquer
that thing. As we see in these verses, the idea is that thoughts
unchecked will eventually come against even the wisdom and ways if God.
Proverbs 16:32 says that a man that rules his own spirit, is mightier
than a man who can take a city.
That’s a little scary, in other words: he who can control his own
spirit, or what it is that he thinks and acts on, is stronger than one
who can conquer an entire city.
Now the reason I have been thinking about thoughts is, it really does
matter what it is that we think about.
Most likely according to Paul in Philippians our thoughts are not
true, they are not honest, or just could very well not be pure, or
lovely, or we are not thinking on good reports or things worthy of
praising God.
If by chance any of these thoughts are prevalent in our minds, we are
not thinking well of others or ourselves.
In John 15 v.14 Jesus Himself said “you are my friends, IF you do
whatever I command you.”
Then in v.17 He says these things I command you, that you love one
another.
Again in Romans 13 v.10 it says love works no ill towards his
neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Gird up our minds everyday and take advantage of everyway to keep our
mind fixed on Him. His ways are true and right.
I am willing to bet that as we purify our hearts and minds, think on
those things that are from above and eternal, we will start to see the
manifestation of our thoughts because they will be the thoughts and
intentions of the Father.
His thoughts towards us are good and not evil, so should we think
towards others.

Warning to the Western Church Endurance (part 3)

Warning to the Western Church
Endurance part 3

Spiritual Endurance

Again, I would like to remind us that the warning of God is His mercy
and grace. For without it we would be orphans and left on our own, and
that’s not the God I’ve come to know and love.
I really need to be quite honest here. We, in the west, don’t have a
real deep down totally sold out conviction of the spirit realm. Oh yes
we do have our mega churches and our scattered remnant of those truly
seeking the presence of God in their lives. But the body of Jesus at
large, as a whole, in the west is pretty much spiritually dumb.
Now I am speaking of myself when I say these things because I was a
lukewarm, middle of the road, causing no waves in this world, or in
the spirit realm, until my wife with the Holy Ghost jerked the slack
out of me, and I awoke up out of my coma of sitting in front of the
TV and not being a threat at all to the works of darkness. Being
comfortable in my job and being able to pay all my bills, so in front
of the worlds vision night after night I would sit.
So the way I see it is, we trust more in our possessions, our doctors,
our 401k’s, our careers, reputations and the such, not knowing that we
are blind, naked and wretched. Revelation 3:17
We know about the spirit realm, but its not in the forefront of our
minds and thoughts. Its second at best, because we think God and the
spirit realm are our 911 call when things go amiss.
Like Gehazi, who knew about the spirit realm, because his boss was a
prophet; we also know about the spirit realm but are not giving it
its proper respect. Gehazi, himself, did not recognize that there were
more that were with them, than those that were with the other guys.
This is also true, right here in our own lives. 2 Kings 6:14-17
We don’t know, or we don’t want to acknowledge that there are angels
all around us. That they are observing all that the sons of God are
doing. Ephesians 3:10
I’m not sure about you, but if I realized this fact about the host of
angels around me, that they also are there waiting for us to send
them out to assist or aid us to accomplish that which we have been
called to do. Hebrews 1:14 I think I would both act and think
differently about what it was I was acting and thinking about.
As members in the body, we need to remember that the hosts of angels
around us are ministering spirits, sent out to minister FOR them who
shall be heirs of salvation. Hebrews 1:14
With this confidence of Elisha, we need to stand strong in the spirit,
and rest in the power of Gods might, and remember this isn’t our fight
anyway. Its really not even a fight anymore. Jesus already fought and
won over the principalities and powers, and made a public display of
them in the cross and resurrection. Colossians 2:15. God has us
surrounded with spiritual warriors and He would just like us to
remember that there are more with us than there are with the evil one.
2 Kings 6:14.
If God is for us, what does it matter who is against us. Romans 8:31

Warning to the western Church: Endurance (part 2)

Warning to the Western Church

Endurance part 2

 

Now let’s recap for a moment. Why is it that we are studying this 

thing about endurance? Because in the near future our country may be 

in for some political, financial, and possibly spiritual woes. Even if 

this does not happen now, we all have things that happen in our own 

lives that we will have to be able to withstand and endure.

If we want to stand in the day of adversity, we need to train 

ourselves during the times of peace and prosperity.

Remember it is easier to train when you can analyze your short 

comings, and make adjustments where they may be needed.

Let’s now look at physical pressures.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27- I keep my body under, and bring it 

into subjection. Not to obtain a corruptible crown, but an 

incorruptible one.

Paul states that he prepares for his life with God, as one who 

prepares for a race or other sporting event. He says in the 25th 

verse, that one who strives to be a master is temperate in all things. 

Remember temperance means self restraint and moderation.

We need to take seriously the task at hand. That Gods will be done on 

earth as  it is being done in heaven.

To bear up under physical pain, either from a forced fast, or a fast 

by our own will. In some form of sickness or injury, to abstain from 

sex and spend the time praying instead. To turn off the media in all 

forms and spend time with our family and most of all God.

Will cause us to have an insight that we didn’t know we had. We will 

soon desire to spend more time with our wife and family, more time 

seeking after Jesus himself, and less time say in front of the TV. And 

the more we pour into our mind those things that really matter as 

opposed to the things that don’t, we will recognize those things and 

desire them all the more. Believe me when I say, the more we seek God, 

the more He is found. His thoughts and plans for us are good and not 

bad. He is looking also for someone on earth that he can show himself 

strong.

Be encouraged that if we will restrain ourselves in the physical 

realm, during the easy times of our normal routine, it will make it 

easier during the times of trying.

Warning to the western Church: Endurance (part 1)

 

Warning to the western Church

 Endurance (part 1)

 

Abraham believed God;

When Abraham believed God did he do anything?

It appears yes. You see to believe God, takes some form of action.

James says in 2:18

I will show you my faith by my works.

When we are sick, or without, to believe that God will, and wants to 

heal us, or bless us with the funds, takes faith.

In order for us to grow as a member in the body of the Lord, we will 

need to add to our prosperity, endurance.

Endurance takes faith, and endurance, in the western church is sparse 

at best.

Endurance is the ability to last, stand or tolerate pain.

In 2 Peter 1:5-9 we have a list of things, if they be found in us, the 

Holy Ghost says, that we will be neither barren or unfruitful in the 

knowledge of the things of our Lord. But if they are not in us, we are 

blind and can’t see very far.

I would like to concentrate on two of these virtues from the list: 

temperance, patience.

Like endurance, the meaning of the word patience has its root in 

standing, and being strong, and able to withstand pain.

The other word is temperance which means self restraint, moderation.

The reason for this word is, that in the warning of things to come, we 

ourselves can be equipped, and be able to stand.

To have the wisdom of God, and to take heed, is the mercy and grace of 

our Lord.

Hebrews 12:26-27 the Lord warns of a shaking that will take place in 

the last days, so that everything that can not be shaken will remain.

And oh, how we in the west are so ill equipped to withstand any shaking.

It is easiest to learn, and teach yourself endurance during times of 

peace and prosperity.

However it is the hardest thing to do, because it requires the student 

to place himself in an uncomfortable circumstance, willingly.

If we will discipline ourselves during these times of plenty, 

willingly.  Then we have a better chance of standing during the real 

event, whatever that maybe.

Better to try yourself and fail, then never to try yourself and fail 

when it really counts.

You see this maybe the difference of failure or success of your faith, 

during the hard times that have yet to hit this earth.

The proceeding message will cause the reader some uneasy, and maybe 

quite painful irritation.

Unless we would rather sit there and not proceed with the things of 

God. Don’t expect that anything will change in our lives, unless we 

seek after those things that are not going to be shaken.

Like I said you may not want to continue reading, if you don’t want to 

be moved from your comfort zone. Here goes.

First I would like to start with an observation in my own life, which 

most likely can be brought into the main stream church at large. This 

is going to hurt.

Let’s look at most, if not all areas of our lives. Spiritual, 

physical, emotional, financial.

Being offended. Emotional

James 3:2 states; for many things we offend all. If any man offend not 

in word, the same is mature, and able to bridle the whole body.

And many times its not that we offend, let’s face it, its that we are 

offended.

We are so sensitive, we wear our emotions on our sleeves.

Anybody says something we react. Anybody doesn’t say something we 

react. Its starring to sound a little spooky.

The pastor didn’t say hi, bam, offended. Your wife says something you 

didn’t like, bam, offended. This person or that person, did or didn’t 

talk to you, bam, offended. And if they did say something, and didn’t 

mean anything bad by it, but you took it the wrong way, bam, offended.

We really need to grow up, like James says and be mature, slow to 

speak, quick to hear, and by doing so are less likely to be offended.

 From whence come wars and fighting among you? Don’t they come out of 

your lusts. You lust and have not. James 4:1

For me lust, or the desire to have that which I do not have, comes 

from pride.

Not walking circumspectly and humbly before God and men.

Pride puffs up and is unbecomely, pride is also easily provoked.

So there’s our answer for being offended by many or by a few.

It is not what they do or say, or not do or say.

It is on us, on how mature are we going to be. Weather we react or act 

prideful or offended is up to us, not anyone else.

Again for me the opposite of being offended is love, caring and 

humility.

So I would suggest to us all to think and not be offended. Perhaps we 

should memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 love suffers long, and is kind. 

Does not envy and is not puffed up, or behave unseemly. Love does not 

seek its own and is not easily provoked. Thinks no evil doesn’t 

rejoice in bad things, but rejoices in truth. Bears all things, 

believes all things, hopes all things and here is our main word 

endures all things.

1 Peter 2:15-

 

1 Peter 2:15-

For so is the will if God, that with well doing we may put

 to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

• Abstain from fleshly lusts v.11

• Live honest lives before all men v.12

• Submit to civil rulers v.13-15

• Be free, but live godly v.16

• Honor all men v.17

• Love the brotherhood v.17

• Fear God v.17

• Honor the king v.17

 

1 Thessalonians 4:3-

For this is the will of God…that leads to our

sanctification, that we should:

• Abstain from fornication v.3

• Possess our own vessel v.4

 a. Our own body

 b. The body of our wife

• In sanctification and honor v.4

• Not in lust v.5

• Defraud no man v.6

• Be holy v.7

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18-

For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning us.

• Know them which labor among you v.12

• To esteem them over you very highly v.13

• Be at peace among yourselves v.13

• Warn them that are disorderly in a church gathering v.14

• Comfort the fainthearted v.14

• Support the weak v.14

• Be patient towards all men v.14

• Don’t render evil for evil to anyone v.15

• Follow that which is good v.15

• Rejoice evermore v.16

• Pray without ceasing v.17

• In everything give thanks v.18

• Don’t quench the Holy Spirit v.19

• Despise not prophesyings v.20

• Prove all things v.21

• Hold fast to that which is good v.21

• Abstain from every appearance of evil v.22

 

To add to or take away from what these early fathers wrote

 about concerning the will of God for our lives, would be like

 touching something that which is holy and precious.

I think it is pretty cut and dry according to the Holy Spirit

through Peter and Paul, that if you do things, you will be

 smack dab in the middle of the will of God for our lives.

Be encouraged that we do have within us the ability to do these

 things and triumph over all evil with good.

We can take the high road, and be a light that will always

dispel any and all darkness.